On Wednesday, Muskegon Heights City Council member William Kitchen confirmed that Andre Williams declined the council’s appointment to serve as interim mayor. Williams had been named to the position on Monday after Mayor Bonnie McGlothin was automatically removed under the city charter for missing three consecutive council meetings.

Background on the mayor’s removal

The city charter states that a mayor or council member forfeits office after failing to attend three regular council meetings in a row without an official excuse. Mayor McGlothin missed the required meetings while undergoing treatment for leukemia, a fact disclosed by her attorney, Joel Fauson, during a Fox 17 interview.

Fauson said the absences were communicated to the council in advance, but the council has not formally recorded those communications as an official excuse. As a result, the three missed meetings triggered the automatic removal provision.

Williams’ brief tenure

Williams was appointed by the council on Monday and briefly assumed mayoral duties during that evening’s meeting. He later sent an email to the council indicating his decision not to accept the appointment. Kitchen relayed the email’s contents, noting that Williams will not serve as mayor.

Mayor McGlothin’s response

Attorney Joel Fauson confirmed that Mayor McGlothin is actively fighting the removal and has filed an appeal. He emphasized that the mayor’s health challenges are the reason for the missed meetings and that the council’s failure to formally excuse the absences should not result in a loss of office.

Implications for city governance

The council now faces the task of selecting another interim mayor or determining a different path forward while the legal appeal proceeds. The situation underscores the importance of clear procedural guidelines for excusing absences due to serious health issues, a concern for many local governments.

Community reaction

Residents expressed mixed feelings. Some voiced sympathy for Mayor McGlothin’s health battle and urged the council to consider a compassionate approach. Others stressed the need for consistent attendance to maintain effective city leadership.

The council is expected to reconvene later this week to discuss next steps, including whether to appoint another interim mayor or await the outcome of the appeal.

Original reporting: FOX 17 WXMI Grand Rapids (local) — read the source article.